Vessel and machinery for aerial navigation



4 Sheets-Shee-tl.

- A. LhBLAGKMAN' 1 Vessel and Machinery for AerialvNayigation.

No. 224,510. Patented Fem-5,117, 1880.-

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4 Sheets-Sheet 2. A. L. BLAC KMAN.

Vessel and Machinery for Aerial Navigation.

NO'. 224,510; Patented Feb. 17, I880.

N.PE|'ERS, PHDTO-LITHOGRAPHER. WASHINGTON. D. C

A. L/BLACKMAN. Vessel aQn'd"MachineryforAerial Navigation. No. 224,510.Patented Feb. 17, 1880.

4 Sheets- Sheet 3.

, v ASheefls-Sheet; 4. A. L. BLAO-KMAN. Vessel and Machinery'forAeria1"Navigation.

No. 224,510. Patented Feb. 17, I880.

' .fnven-Zor:

NFETERS, PNOWLLITNOGRAPH'ERI WASHINGTON. D 0.

UNITED, STATES- PATENT OFFICE. e

ALBERT BLAOKMAROF NASHVILLE, 'rmvnnssnn VESSEL AND (MACHINERY FOR AERIALN'AV|GAT|ON.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Fatent No. 224,510, dated February17, 1880.

Application filed 'J anuary 6, 1880. r v

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT L. BLAOKMAN, of Nashville, in the county ofDavidson and State of Tennessee, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Vessels and Machinery for Propelling and HandlingVessels for Aerial Navigation; and I do hereby declare that thefollowing is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention,which will en able others skilled in the art to which it pertains tomake and use the same, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings,and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part ofthis specification.

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of the ship, showing thepropelling-wheel aft, the steering-screw forward, engine, and smokepipepassing out at the driving-screw, ridge A, chord O, stanchions F, chordsD and E,'and keelson H. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section of same, showingthe side screws and cylindrical shafts M, M, and-O. Fig. 3 is asideelevation of the ship, showing the netting and gallery and cabin-lightand ventilating-Windows. Fig. 4 is a vertical section of the vessel,showing the location of the engine, propelling machinery, cylindricalshafts, and side screws. Fig. 5 is a transverse section of the vessel,showing the gas-condensers, a changed position of the side screws. Fig.6 is a broken horizontal section, showing, in detail, the driving,steering, and actuating machinery. Fig. 7 is abroken vertical section ofi the same, showing the mannerof securing the machinery to the deck ofthe vessels hull.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in vessels foraerial navigation and it consists in a frame-work constructed of wires,rods, thin metal tubing, and cordage, or other suitable material,substantially secured at its intersections in any manner to obtainstrength and lightness, the wholecovered and incased with silk, linen,thin metal, or other suitable material secured to the frame-work,presenting, preferably, the form of. the grayling or salmon fishes.

The-upper part or gas-field of the vessel is made air and gas tight bypaint, varnish, or

any compound in use, and divided into a number of compartments,subdivided by partitions into chambers of suitable form anddimenwater-tanks, and

sions, also made air and gas tight, each chamber being provided withvalves,stop-cocks, and suitable connectingpipes 'to adinit of the egressandingress of gas; The lower part or hullof the vessel is subdividedinto one or more decks, comprising the cabin, cut into compartments, themachinery, engine and store rooms, gas-condensing compartments, &c., allsubstantiallystayed by braces, cross-braces, supports, and suspendersofv metal, or any other light material that will give strength withoutmaterially impairing its biioyancy; also provided with revolving androtating screwwheels geared to revolving shafts on its sides, apropelling-screw aft, and a revolving steering-screw forward, and themachinery forpropelling and handling the vessel, together with 'a guardand walk on the outside, gas-condensers, and automaticvalves.

My invention also relates to an improvement in the construction andcombination of machinery for'propelling and managing the vessel, whichconsists in combined reciprocating and revolving shafts andbelt-sheaths, provided withpulley-wheels, idlers, knotted gear forendless chain, yokes and levers, a

com pound steering-gear, and a cone-pulley connected through adriving-pulley by belting or shafting to the motive engine.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts. Y

The dome-ridge A, forming an ellipsoidal curve over from the stem to thestern of the vessel, preferably of tubing, secured at the ends in metalcollars a a, fixed at the nodes, is the main upper shaping-support ofthe ves sel. At a proper distance down from the top, and running foreand aft, the ends secured in the ellipsoidal ridge A, is a girder orchord, 1, preferably of tubing, which, in addition to staying thedome-ridge, serves as a support and stay for the gas-bags, ashereinafter shown.

At the foot of the ellipsoidal ridge A, running parallel'with girder orchord (his a second girder or chord, D, preferably of tubing, se-

cured at the ends in the metal collars wot at the stem and stern at thenodes. The chord D is the base of the gas-field and the main girder ofthe hulls deck Passing beneath the vessels bull in an ,ellipsoidal curvefrom the metal collars a, to a at the stem and stern at the nodes, towhich it is by the ends secured, isa keelson, H, preferably of tubing,which gives form and strength to the vessels keel. To the keelson, at aproper distance from the bottom and running parallel with chord D, isanother girder or chord, E, prefe ably of tubing, secured by the ends tothe keelson H, to which it imparts stiffness and strength.

Secured in a substantial manner to and depending from the ellipsoidalridge A at proper intervals from the stem to the stern of the vessel area series of stanchions, F F F, &c., preferably of tubing, which, passingdown through girders or chords 0, D, and E, to which they are madesecure, take foot in and are firmly secured to the keelson H, thusuniting, strengthening, and supporting firmly in position theperpendicular frame-work of the vessel.

At right angles to the dome-ridge A, on a plane with girder or chord D,both ends of each secured in the metal collars a a at the nodes in thestem and stern of the vessel, are two corresponding ellipsoidally-curvedgunwales, I 1, preferably of tubing, which give breadth to the vessel.()n the same plane, running within and parallel to the gunwales I I, aretwo other ellipsoidally-curved what may be called thwarts, J J, securedat the ends to the girder or chord D. Intersecting and secured to thegirder D, thwarts J J, and gunwales I l, at proper intervals from stemto stern, are a series of cross-girders, G G G, &c., which maintain thevessels beam, sustain the ceiling of the vessels hull, and support frombelow the base of the gas-bags.

Secured by the ends to and on the same plane with girder or chord E, andrunning parallel with the thwarts J J, is a second ellipsoidal frame, KK, supported from above by stays and suspender-braces c c c c, &c.Secured by the ends at proper intervals, fore and aft, to theellipsoidal frame K K, and passing through girder or chord E,to whichthey are also made fast, are a series of cross-girders, b b I) I), 850.,which form the support for the floor of the lower deck.

The metal collars a a, fixed in the stem and stern of the vessel, inaddition to being the nodes in which the main frame of the vessel hasfootings, form the journal-bearinga forthe revolving shaft '1, whichcarries the powerful propelling-screw I? aft, and a the journal-bearingof the revolving cylinder 0, to which is attached the rotating andrevolving steeringscrew forward.

Collars d. d, fixed securely to the gunwales I I, form thejournal-bearin gs for the revolving cylinders M M, to which are securedthe elegatif g, propelling, and depressing side screws,

The gas-bags B, B, B and B filling the entire area on both sides of thestanchions F F, 850., between the vessels deekI and the domeridge A, areconstructed of silk, linen, thin metal,or other suitable materiahmadeair and gas tight by paint or any other proper compound in use, andpreferably divided into grand compartments, as shown by B B and B B bypartitions of suitablematerial, made also air and gas tight; and as ameans of protection against accident, and to provide against the loss ofgas by tearing, leakage, &c., each compartment is again subdivided intochambers c f, of proper dimensions each, by preferably verticalpartitions g, of any suitable material, made air and gas tight, and eachchamber is, by stopcock or valve, connected, through eduet and inducttubes h h, with the gas-condensers X X, where the gas may be stored, toreduce the supply in the gas-bags, or from whence they may be refilled.Gasbags B B and B B are securely lashed at the top to the dome-ridge A,the girder or chord G, and at the bottom to the gunwale I on one sideand the gunwale I on the other, and to the thwarts J J the entire lengthof the vessel, and may also be lashed to the stanchions F F, &c., aswell as the girder or chords D, and the vessel overlaid, stayed, andsupported by a substantial netting, after the improved mode of nettingon balloons.

N N are two screws of very large propulsive power, constructed ofstrong" light framework, covered with any material that combines greatstrength with lightness, placed, respectively, on the light and left ofthe aerostat or vessel. In describing one of these wheels or screws andits connections, I describe as well the two side wheels or screws as thesteeringscrew forward. The hub of the screw terminates in a shaft, L, onwhich arejournals k, which workinboxingsd i, fixed on or in the barrelsofthe cylinder-shafts M, M, and O. Shoulders or collars j j on theshafts L secure the screwsin position and give them bearings, upon whichthey revolve. Secured to the shafts L, within the cylinder, are vaultsor pulley-wheels at, through which from a general driving or cone pulleyor belt-wheel, Q, by means of an endless belt, R R, is conveyed a rapidrotary motion to the screw, without regard to the position the screw maybe placed, by rotating the cylinder on its axis.

In constructing my vessel, when I so desire it, I permit thecross-girders G Gr, 850., to so extend beyond the sides of the vesselthat I may be enabled to construct thereon a light gallery or corridoron the sides of the Vessel, reached from the doors fore and aft bysteps, as seen in the drawings.

M, M, and O are hollow sleeves, tubes, or cylinder-shafts of anyrequired diameter, in which side screws, N N, and the steeringscrew aresecured. These shafts have journalbearings in the collars d d and thenode-collar a, as well as in the shaft-hangers n n a, secured to theframe-work above. On the inner end of these shafts or tubes is firmlysecured a corrugated rack, 0 0 0, on which the endlesschain belt p p 19works, and by which, through the wheel V, beveled gearing w, proy'idedwith a friction-cluteh, w, and the pulleys y y y, the cylinders, tubes,or shafts are revolved; also with a double-flanged muff or collar, 1 rr,

straddled by a lever, q q q, used in moving-the shaft or tube laterallywhen it becomes necessary to slacken or tighten the belting, or instarting or stopping the screws to'them respectively attached.Two'i'dlers, s s, are fixed. at the entrance of these shafts, betweenwhich, the belting It R R passes while conveying motion from the drum orcone-pulley-Q to the side screws, N N, and the steering-screw O.

The revolving shaft T, which carries the propelling-screw P, hasjournal-bearings in the collar (1. in hangers n n, and'receives itsmotion on a pulley, 2, through an endless belt',z,

from a pulley, l, on the driving-shaft, onwhich is also a loose pulley,to which'the belt may be transferred when it is desired to stop thepropelling-wheel.

NV is the motive engine. surrounded by fireproof casings, carrying ashaft or the workingbelt 1., which conveys the power from the engine topulley 3 on the driving-shaft. 4, journaled in hangers a n Z is anendless driving belt, conveying power and motion to the perpendicularconepulley or drum Q,which carries the endless belts RR 1%, through thecylinders or tubes M,

M and 0 around the vaults m m m "ivin motion to the side screws, N N,and the steering-screw O. p

The deck of the 'vessels hull, the ceiling of the cabin,the'part-itions, and floorings may be of any light substantial'material,though I prefer to underlay the floors with asubstantial netting. In thehold,.fore and aft of the engine-room, I 'provide fuel-bunkers, watertanks at u, and gascond'ensers X X. These latter are connected with'thegas-bags above the cabin-deck by suitableinduct and educt pipes h It.

In sailing, operating, andhandling, my vessel having been provided withthe necessary ground tackle and grappling-s before'starting, gassufficient to give buoyancy to-the vessel and cargo, allowing amplespace for expansion" when inthe higher altitudes, is admitted'into thegas-bags, equally distributed through the .various chambers, and areserve quantity stored in the gas-condensers. The side screws andsteering-screw wheels are turned so as to impact the air toward theearth and give an. upward tendency to the vessel. The machinery havingbeen arranged as pointed out, the engine is started, conveying tothescrews a rapid rotating motion, which carries the vessel upward andforward, and when in the upper air it is obedient to the steerin g-screwto guide and the propelling-screw to drive it forward.

When desiring to return again to earth, by turning the wheel V the sidescrews and steer-' ing-screw are turned so as to impact the air above,thus carrying the vessel downward to the earth. These screwsarealso usedfor propelling purposes.

Having now fullydescribed my invention, what I esteem as new, and desireto protect by Letters Patent, is,

.1.A vessel for aerial navigation divided into ahull and algas-field,constructed on one 'generalframe-work, of tubing orother light materialinclosedwith silk,linen, thin metal, or other equally light substantialsubstance, resemblinglin form the grayling or the salmon fishes, havingthe gas-field divided into. compartments and subdivided into chambers,the

hull divided into rooms, the whole arranged. I

3. Avessel for aerial navigation constructed as shown, having thepropelling, raising, and

loweringscrews on the sides, a steering-screw forward and driving-screwaft, provided with internal propelling power and machinery,gascondensers, and a 'iartments for the accommodation of passengers andfreights, substantially as shown, and for the purposes described.

4. Rotating screws having shafts provided with journals, collars, andvaults o'r pulleys having bearings in and carried by revolvingcylindricalshafts with a lateral movement, for propelling, raising, andlowering, as well as steering, vessels for aerial navigation,substantially as shown and described.

5. Rotating screws having shafts provided with journals andcollarbearings, sustained by and operating iii-cylindrical revolvingshafts, and carried by endless belts, for propelling, raisin g, andlowering, as well as steerin g,'vessels for aerial navigation,substantially as shown and described.

6'. Combined revolvingFcylindrical shafts and belt-sheaths whichrevolveon their; own axes, as well as having a lateral movement toloosen. or tighten the machinery-belts, provided with racks 0, idlers ss, a double-flanged muff or collar, 1", a lever, q, for-conveying thelateral movement to the shafts, and journalboxin gs it supported injournal-bearings and hangers, for carrying and revolving screws forraising, lowering, and propelling, as well as steering, vessels foraerial navigation, substantially as shown and described.

7; Rotating screw secured to a shaft'extending under the gas-field tothe central. ma-

chinery, having hearings in the node at the stern of the vessel, andsecured to chord D, substantially as shown and described.

8. Rotating screw secured to a shaft ex-' tending under the gas-field tothe central machinery, having bearings in the node at the stern of thevessel, and secured to chord D, provided with and operated by endlessbelts, propelling vessels for aerial navigation, substantially as shownand described. v v

9. A verticalcone-pulley receiving a driving-belt froma driving-shaftconnected with a motive engine and carrying three endless belt-s, one tothe right and one to the left of the vessel and one to the bow, fordriving the side screws and the forward steering-screw, substantially asshown and described.

10. In combination, the cone-pulley Q, endless belts R R R, idlers s s,cylindrical shafts M, M, and O, vaults m, screw-wheels N, N, and 0,working in journal -bearings z i, for propelling, lowering, raising, andsteering vessels for aerial navigation, substantially as shown anddescribed.

11. In combination, driving shaft and pulley-driving belt, withcone-pulley Q, endless belts R R R, cylindrical shafts M, M, and O,idlers s s, vaults m, screws N, N, and O, rotating on journals j j inboxings t' 'i, for propellin g, lowering, raising, and steering vesselsfor aerial navigation, substantially as shown and described.

12. In combination, propelling-engine W, endless belt, driving-shaft andpulleys, driving-belts Z and z, with pulley 2 on shaft '1, and thedriving-screw for propelling vessels for aerial navigation, and withcone-pulley Q, endless belts R R, passing through revolving cylindricalshafts M, M, and O, vaults m, and screws N, N, and O, for raising,lowering, and steering vessels for aerial navigation, substantially asshown and described.

13. In combination, the propelling-engine V, endless belt,driving-shaft, pulley, powerbelt Z, with cone-pulley Q, endless belts RR R, laterallyanoving and revolving cylindrical shafts M, M, and O,pulleys or vaults m, and rotating screws N, N, and 0, for raising,lowering, and steering vessels for aerial navigation, substantially asshown and described.

14. In combination, propelling-engine W, endless belt Z, pulley 4 ondriving-shaft 3, endless belt 2', pulley-wheel z, revolving shaft '1,hangers n n, journal-bearings a, and driving-screw P, for propellingvessels for aerial navigation, substantially as shown and described.

15. Corrugated pulley 0 on the revolving cylindrical shafts M, M, and O,in combination with endlesschain belts p, corrugated pulleys,friction-clutch :17, wheel V, and bevelgear 10, for revolvingsimultaneously the cylindrical shafts M M, changing the direction ofscrews N N to positions for raising, lowering, or propelling the vessel,and the steeringscrew 0, for steering vessels for aerial navigation,substantially as shown and described.

16. Corrugated pulley wheels 0, wheel V, and friction-clutch m, incombination with endless-chain belts p, corrugated pulleys 0,cylindrical shafts M, M, and 0, screws N, N, and O, for handling vesselsfor aerial navigation. substantially as shown and described.

17. Levers q and double-flanged muffs or collars r, in combination withand for the purpose of conveying a lateral motion to cylindrical shaftsM, M, and O, for throwing in and out of gear the endless belts R R R instarting, stopping, slackening, and tightening the belts that conveymotion to screws N, N, and 0, used in raising, lowering, propelling, andsteering vessels for aerial navigation, substantially as shown anddescribed.

18. In combination, the cone-pulley Q, endless belts R R R, idlers s s,cylindrical shafts M, M, and O, vaults m, collars 1, levers q, racks 0,chain-belt p, corrugated pulleys, friction-clutch 00, wheel V, andbevel-gear 10, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own improvements Ialfix mysignature in presence of two witnesses.

ALBERT L. BLAUKMAN.

\Vitnesses THOMAS J. BURKE, D. H. GLASSIE.

